An Expert Guide to German Beer

Coinciding with the launch of The Knick’s German-inspired brunch, Executive Chef Christopher Engel has made sure the Knick has a beer list to match. “The Germans consider beer their national drink,” explains the Frankfurt-born chef. “It’s a religion actually. Americans treat their whiskey so carefully—you can’t mess with whiskey. In Germany, you can’t mess with German beer.” There’s a long history behind that devotion as well. Since the 1200s, local “beer purity laws” throughout German-speaking Europe allowed only three ingredients: water, hops and barley. Even today, there are stringent regulations on what actually counts as a German beer. “That’s what makes it so special. With so much history and so much love for the German beer, it’s extraordinary.”

Rothaus Tannenzäplfe Pilsner

What one could call a “celebration Pilsner,” this beer is made with water drawn from the town’s communal well, making it rather low in production. A thoroughly German style of pilsner with more crisp bitterness than a creamy Czech pilsner, it’s one of the few beers that actually tastes better in bottle than on tap.

Ritterguts Gose

A sour style of beer brewed with lactic acid. This isn’t quite as sour as the classic Leipziger Gose, and finishes with a moderate malty sweetness.

Franziskaner Weissbier

From a Munich-based brewery where production dates as far back as 1397, this is a classic example of a wheat beer with soft notes of banana and some intense clove. We serve the 500ml bottle, no point in the smaller variety.

Mahr’s Brau Ungespundet Lager

A hazy unfiltered lager with a bold barley body, this lager is tangy all the way through, with a bitter finish. It’s rare to see an unfiltered style like this around.

Göller Rauchbier

A lighter style of rauchbier from Bavaria, the Göller Rauchbier has more sour smoke and astringency to it than the well-known “Schlenkerla.” It’s got a slightly higher acidity hop character.

Ayinger Oktoberfest

One of the most classic expressions of Oktoberfest, the Ayinger is sweeter and bolder than a normal amber ale, with notes of honey and bread lasting throughout.